Railway flat car for transporting containers



June 25, 1968 F c, PULCRANO ET AL 3,389,664

RAILWAY FLAT CAR FOR TRANSPORTING CONTAINERS N 2. l t w 2 h m on e m 3 8 ,E 4

INVENTORS.

FRANK C. PULCRANO TOM C. BUCKTHOR PE if hm ATTORNEY IILIIIIII .Nfir

Filed Sept. 16, 1966 RAILWAY FLAT CAR FOR TRANSPORTING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 16, 1966 June 25, 1968 PULCRANQ ET AL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lfllllll'lllllllllllllillll F. c. PULCRANO ETAL 3,389,664

RAILWAY FLAT CAR FOR TRANSPORTING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 25, 1968 Filed Sept. 16, 1966 RAILWAY FLAT CAR FOR TRANSPORTING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 16, 1966 June 25, 1968 c, PULCRANQ ETAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,389,664 RAILWAY FLAT CAR FOR TRANSPORTING CONTAINERS Frank C. Pulcrano, St. Charles, and Tom C. Buckthorpe,

St. Louis County, Mo., assignors to ACE Industries, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 579,958 7 Claims. (Cl. 105-366) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A railway fiat car for carrying containers and having a laterally extending deck area at each bolster structure to provide an increased Width thereat. A guideway structure for container supports extends along each side of the car and a storage guideway portion at each increased width deck area permits container supports to be moved into the storage guideway portions and remain in a generally erect position extending above the deck when in an inoperable position and containers are not being transported.

Background of the invention In railway flat cars employed for the transport of containers in which the containers are supported by corner supports projecting upwardly from the deck, the supports are normally removed from the upper surface of the deck to an inoperative position not obstructing the deck surface when containers are not being transported by the flat car thereby to permit the deck to be employed for other purposes. Some of the prior art container supports are swung laterally of the side sill beneath the deck or stored beneath the deck through a deck opening which receives the container support.

The maximum width of a railway fiat car is normally dependent upon the distance between truck centers with the width being decreased as the distance between truck centers becomes greater. Normally, the critical width dimensfon is at a position centrally of the length of the railway car. It is possible under the curve negotiability formula to have different widths at various locations along the length of the car and yet remain within the clearance diagrams required by the Association of American Railroads. Under the curve negotiability formula which determines the minimum and maximum widths of a railway flat car based on the distance between truck centers, the maximum width of a railway car is permitted over the bolster structures or trucks.

Description of the invention The present invention is particularly directed to a railway flat car in which a deck is utilized having different widths along the length of the car. Specifically, the area of the deck over the trucks or bolster structures is of an increased width. This increased width deck area is employed in the present invention as a storage area for container supports and has the advantage of providing a storage area in which the container supports may remain in a generally erect position projecting above the up er surface of the deck without interfering with the unloading or loading areas of the deck when the railway flat car is not employed for carrying containers. Thus, the container supports do not have to be moved underneath the deck in order for the railway car to be employed with loads other than containers, such as trailers. The container supports of the present invention are easily moved in guideways along the surface of the deck into the increased width portions of the deck over the trucks.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions 3,389,664 Patented June 25, 1968 hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of several possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIGURE 1 is a top plan of the deck and underframe comprising the present invention and illustrating the wide deck areas over the trucks and boltser structures;

FIGURE 2 is a section of the underframe taken generally along line 22 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating the container supports mounted in guideways for movement longitudinally of the railway car;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken generally along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating the container supports at the increased width deck areas;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a container support secured at a predetermined position for supporting a container thereon;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation of the container support shown in FIGURE 4, certain portions of the underfrarne being shown in section;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation similar to FIGURE 4 but illustrating the container support in a released position for movement along the deck of a railway flat car;

FIGURE 7 is a rear elevation of the container support in the released position of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan of the container support illustrated in FIGURES 4-7 removed from the deck of the railway car; and

FIGURE 9 is a top plan of a portion of a guideway illustrating a plurality of predetermined positions for securing the associated container support.

Corresponding reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings for a 'better understanding of the invention and more particularly to FIGURES 1-3, an underframe 10 of the railway flat car is illustrated having a deck 12 extending the length of the railway car. Deck 12 has an upper container support surface and is generally flat or flush. A side sill 14 extends along each side of underframe 10 and stringers 16 of a generally channel-shape extend longitudinally beneath deck 12. A box-shaped center sill structure generally indicated 18 extends the length of underframe 10 centrally of the Width of the railway car. A bolster structure 20 is illustrated adjacent each end of underf-rame 10 and is adapted to fit on a suitable truck as is Well known.

Deck 12 is of an increased width over bolster structures 20 and provides a substantial overhanging deck area 22 over each side of each bolster structure 20. The remaining areas of deck 12 between bolster structure 20 and adjacent each end of underframe 10 are of a uniform width. As an example, a railway car having an underframe length of around eighty-nine (89) feet and a distance between bolster structures or truck centers of sixty-six (66) feet may project a distance A of one (1) foot and remain within the clearance requirements of the A.A.R. The total width of the railway car at bolster structure-s 20* is ten (10) feet, eight (8) inches and the remaining portions of deck 12 are of a width of eight (8) feet, eight (8) inches. The length of area 22 shown by dimension B in FIGURE 1 may be around thirteen (13) feet and a transition section may have a length C of around one (1) foot. Thus, areas 22 provide a substantial deck area which may be employed for storage or other purposes and yet not interfere with the remaining working or loading areas of deck 12.

The increased width deck areas 22 may effectively be utilized in a railway flat car adapted to carry containers with deck areas 22 employed as storage areas for container supports when the railway car is converted for carrying loads other than containers. A guideway or slot 26 in deck 12 extends the length of underframe 10 along each side of the deck. As shown in'FIGURE 5, guideway 26 has vertical stiffeners 28 for transmitting loads to a lower cross member 30 extending between center sill structure 18 and adjacent side sill 14. In each deck area 22, guideway 26 has a bypass or storage guidew-ay portion 32 offset laterally from the adjacent portions of guideway 26 and connected with the associated straight longitudinal portions of guideway 26 by transition guideway portions 34. Mounted for sliding movement in each guideway 26 are a plurality of container supports generally indicated 38 and adapted to support and secure the lower corner of a container C. As shown in FIGURE 1, three containers C are mounted on the railway car. It is to be understood that containers C of varying lengths may be carried by the railway car and container supports 38 may be moved along guideways 26 for proper positioning.

Each container support 38 comprises an I-beam 4t having an upper flange 42 forming a seat for supporting a container C, a web 44 extending downwardly through guideway 26, and a lower flange 46 beneath deck 12 which prevents the removal of container support 38. Projecting side walls 48 and 50 extend upwardly from seat 42 and form a pocket in which the container corner may fit. Side wall 48 has an opening therein to receive a container locking pin 52 adapted to project within an aligned opening in container C. An integral handle 54 is easily accessible for gripping and rotating pin 52. Lower plates 56 are secured, such as by welding, to web 44 and are adapted to rest in supporting relation on the upper surface of deck 12. Additional side plates 58 enclose web 44 but do not extend above seat 42.

To mount container supports 38 for movement along guide'ways 26, a roller frame on each support 38 is generally indicated at 60 and has a pair of roller side frames 52 pivotally mounted at 64 to adjacent side walls 48 and 58. Mounted on each side frame 6-2 about axles 65 are a pair of rollers 68 adapted to engage and roll along the upper surface of deck 12 for movement of container support 38. Roller frame 69 is adapted to be pivoted between an operable position for movement of the associated support 38 along deck 12 as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, and a rest position as shown in FIGURES 4 and removed from contact with deck 12. Each side frame 62 has an upper projecting arm 70 which fits between a pair of pins 72 secured to a movable catch plate 74 and is actuated upon movement of plate 74. Catch plate 74 has an elongate slot 76 receiving a pin 78 secured to adjacent side wall 50 and is mounted for vertical sliding movement relative to pin 78. A channel-shaped retainer 80 on plate 50 receives the lower marginal portion of catch plate 74. As shown in FIGURE 9, guideway 26 has a plurality of laterally extending slots 82 positioned at predetermined intervals along the length of guideway 26 as determined by the various container lengths. A releasable lock 84 is pivoted at 86 to side wall 50 at a position above catch plate 74 and may be pivoted downwardly adjacent the upper edge of catch plate 74 when catch plate 74 is in the position shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

To position and receive a container support 38 in a predetermined position from the position shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7, support 38 is first positioned over a slot 82 with catch plate 74- in vertical alignment with slot 82. Downward movement of catch plate 74 in slot 82 pivots side frames 62 by handles or arms 70 to the position of FIGURES 4 and 5 with rollers 68 out of contact with deck plate 12. Releasable lock 84 may then be pivoted to the position of FIGURES 4 and 5. To release catch plate 74, lock 84 is pivoted upwardly from. plate 74. Supports 38 are not removable from the ends of guideways 32 as it is desirable that supports 38 not be removed from deck 12 so as to prevent loss of misplacement.

When it is desired to employ deck 12 for carrying other loads, such as trailers, container supports 38 may be moved along deck 12 to the adjacent offset guideways 32 in the increased width deck areas 22. Supports 38 will re- 4. main in the erect position shown in FIGURES 4-7 and suitable slots corresponding to slots 82 are formed in guideways 32 to secure supports 38.

While only one type of container support has been illustrated, it is to be understood that various types of container supports may be provided which utilize the increased width deck areas. By providing an increased width deck area over each bolster structure, the container supports may be stored on the deck and yet leave the main portion of the deck surface unobstructed.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several Objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A railway fiat car adapted to support containers thereon comprising, at least two container supports adjacent each side of the railway car adapted to receive in supporting relation the lower corner of a container, a generally flat deck extending the length of the railway car and having a supporting surface thereon, a bolster structure beneath the deck adjacent each end of the flat car, the portions of the deck over each bolster structure being of a width substantially greater than the width of the deck between the bolster structures, and a guideway extending along each side of the deck generally longitudinally of the railway car and including a storage guideway portion at each increased width portion offset laterally outwardly of the adjacent guideway portions, said container supports being mounted for movement along said guideways to said storage guideway portions at the increased width portions and remaining in a generally erect position extending above the deck when stored in said storage guideway portions.

2. A railway fiat car as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of the container supports has a plurality of rollers mounted thereon for movement along the guideway, and means on each container support to move the rollers between supporting and non-supporting positions relative to the container support.

3. A railway fiat car having a deck adapted to support a plurality of containers thereon of varying lengths, a guideway extending along each side of the deck, a plurality of container supports mounted in each guideway for slidable movement along the guideway, each container support adapted to receive and secure the lower corner of a container, means along each guideway to position accurately the mounted container supports at a plurality of predetermined positions along the length of the associated guideways to accommodate containers of varying lengths, a truck beneath the deck adjacent each end of the railway car, said deck having a portion over each truck extending laterally outwardly on each side thereof to form a laterally overhanging deck area of an increased width, each guideway including a storage guideway portion at each laterally overhanging deck area OJ set laterally outwardly of the adjacent guideway portions, said container supports being slidable along said guideways to said storage guideway portions at the overhanging deck areas and remaining in a generally erect position extending above the deck when stored-in said storage guideway portions, and means to anchor the container supports to said guideways to prevent removal of the supports.

4. A railway fiat car as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of the container supports has a plurality of rollers mounted thereon for movement along the associated guideway, and means to secure the container supports at said predetermined positions along the length of the guideways.

5. In a railway fiat car having a deck structure and a guideway extending longitudinally along each side of the deck structure, a plurality of container supports mounted in said guideways adapted to receive and secure the lower corners of a container, each container support comprising a base frame mounted on the deck structure and having a horizontally extending seat on which a lower container corner rests, a roller frame pivotally mounted on the base frame and having a plurality of rollers thereon, means to pivot the roller frame relative to the base frame between a rest position in which the base frame is supported by the deck structure with the rollers out of engagement with the deck structure and a transit position in which the base frame is solely supported by the rollers and the rollers are in engagement with the deck structure, said container supports being movable along the guideways on said rollers for positioning at predetermined intervals, and means at said predetermined intervals to releasably secure the container supports thereat.

6. In a railway flat car as set forth in claim 5, each container support having a movable catch member engaging the deck structure at said predetermined intervals to secure the container support thereat, said movable catch member being operatively connected to said roller frame and effecting movement of said roller frame to its rest position when said catch member engages the deck structure.

7. A railway flat car adapted to support containers thereon comprising, at least two container supports adjaccnt each side of the railway car adapted to receive in supporting relation the lower corner of a container, a generally flat deck extending the length of the railway car and having a supporting surface thereon, a bolster structure beneath the deck adjacent each end of the flat car,

the portions of the deck over each bolster structure being of a width substantially greater than the width of the deck between the bolster structures and the width of the deck adjacent the ends of the railway car, the width of the deck being uniform and constant except the increased width portions of the deck over the bolster structures, and a guideway extending along each side of the deck longitudinally of the railway car and having a portion extending into the increased width portions of the deck, said container supports being mounted in said guideways for adjustable movement longitudinally of the car and movable into the guideway portions at the increased width portions of the deck when moved to an inoperable position thereby to be removed from the carrying areas of the deck when containers are not being transported, each container support comprising a base to receive and support the lower corner of a container, a roller frame mounted on the base for pivotal movement relative to the base, and a plurality of rollers mounted for rotation on the roller frame and pivoted with the roller frame between a position supporting the container support for movement along the guideway and a position in which the container support is supported by the deck.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,949,218 2/1934 Owens 1O5366 2,970,552 2/1961 Baker.

3,160,117 12/1964 Willison et a1. 366 3,163,129 12/1964 Gutridge.

3,295,464 1/1967 Broling.

DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Primary Examiner. 

